Meeting outside at the Braunton Countryside Centre for 09:00am , local guide Paul Madgett will meet the group and start the walk from here.
This informative walk will head to walk along Moor Lane to access Swanpool Marsh – a rare local example of a freshwater fen habitat, then continue on to the main part of the Great Field, to then eventually reach Velator Quay and return back to the Countryside Centre.
Paul will be sharing his knowledge of the area, how the landscape was shaped during the ice age, knowledge about how the land was farmed during the times of strip & medieval farming through to the modern land management of today.
Depending on attendees timing and ability, there is a longer and a shorter option for this walk, which can be decided on the day. Alternatively if you are unable to, you are welcome to just stay for the first part of the walk and leave at lunchtime before the rest of group continues on further.
Please bring a drink, sun cream & sunhat and suitable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather forecast. If you are planning to stay for the full walk please bring a packed lunch with you. This walk is accessible for most able bodied individuals, the terrain is mostly flat and either on tarmac or along footpaths.
About the guide:
Paul was brought up in South Norfolk; London Uni BSc & PhD, Sussex Uni MSc; 7yrs of Soils Research at Rothamsted (Harpenden); 24yrs lecturing at college/university in London on Geology, Geography, Ecology, Science & Society; early retirement late 1990s to Braunton, with 6yrs part-time for NT at Baggy, incl. recruiting and guided walks; active member of many “natural history” related bodies, including Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Birds.
Photo Credit: Martin Batt.